National Campaign for Justice in Bhopal

July 29, 2002


Press Statement

In continuation of their month long campaign for trial of the absconding American accused in the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal, adequate compensation for the victims and acceptance of pending liabilities of the disaster by Dow Chemical, current owner of Union Carbide, the victims of the disaster will be on relay hunger strike from July 30 to August 27, near the abandoned factory site. A decision on the dilution of criminal charges against Warren Anderson, former Chairman of Union Carbide and prime accused is expected from the Bhopal District Court on August 27.


At a press conference organized by the "National Campaign for Justice in Bhopal" organizations of gas victims and their supporters talked about the background, achievements and future plans of the campaign. According to the
organizations over 20, 000 people have died so far as a consequence of the disaster 18 years back and nearly 150, 000 people are suffering from exposure induced diseases till today. Research has shown that the children
born to parents after their exposure are also affected and that the soil, groundwater and breast milk in the communities in the vicinity of the pesticide factory is contaminated with hazardous chemicals. Following the
merger of Dow Chemical with Union Carbide in February 2001 victims organizations in Bhopal have been demanding that Dow accept responsibility for the long term medical, social and economic rehabilitation of the victims and clean up the contamination.


The organizations said that they were part of the "Satyagraha for Justice in Bhopal" at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from June 26 to July 19 which included 19-day fast by three protestors. Over 2000 victims of the disaster
participated in the dharna in delhi. Representatives of the victims had discussions on their demands with Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and the Minister of States of Home and External Affairs.

Mr. Dhindsa assured the delegation that the balance of settlement fund of Rs. 1360 Crores will not be distributed among residents of the 20 non-affected wards. He also assured that the demand for distribution of this fund among the residents of the 36 gas- affected wards would be taken up at the next meeting of the Group of Ministers on Bhopal. The representatives also presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister and registered a complaint before the National Human Rights Commission.

Several human rights, environmental, women and social organizations and trade unions in Delhi provided generous support to the Bhopal Satyagraha. Scientist Dr. Vandana Shiva, Columnist Mr. Kuldip Naiyar, Writer Shri Surendra Mohan, Narmada Bachao Andolan's Ms. Medha Patkar, Author Ms. Arundhati Roy, Social activists Swami Agnivesh and Mr. Javed Abidi, Advocate Mr. Prashant Bhushan, Mr. A B Bardhan and Ms. Amarjeet Kaur from the CPI, Mr. Neelotpal Basu from the CPM, Mr Suresh Pachauri from Congress
were some of the prominent individuals who joined the protest by the Bhopal victims. Mrs Sonia Gandhi and top leaders of CPI, CPM and other opposition parties have promised to raise the current issues of Bhopal in the current session of the Parliament.

Describing the achievements of the Satyagraha in New Delhi Mrs Rashida Bi, President of Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh said that what started as a fast by three Bhopal activists has grown to a worldwide hunger strike for
justice in Bhopal. According to her, since July 13 over 400 supporters in USA, UK, Italy, France, Spain, Sweden, Holland, South Africa, Canada and different cities and towns of India have joined the Satyagraha. "We now
have no doubts that we will win this battle", says Mrs. Rashida.

Mr. Satinath Sarangi of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action informed that French Author Mr. Dominique Lapierre has published articles in support of the demands of the Bhopal victims in such international newspapers as International Herald Tribune, La Figaro, Corriere Della Sera and El Mundo. Over 1000 faxes have been sent to Indian Embassies and Consulates demanding that the Indian government take steps to punish the guilty of Bhopal, pay adequate compensation sums and establish the long-term responsibility of Dow Chemical. "The continuing disaster in Bhopal is once again at the center of international concern. If the victims carry on with their struggle, soon the Indian government will have to agree to their demands", says Mr. Sarangi.



Sd.: Rashida Bi
President
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh
Sd.:Satinath Sarangi
Member
Bhopal Group for Information and Action


Contact :


1. House No. 12, Gali No. 2, Near Naseer Masjid, Bag Umrao Dulha, Bhopal
2. B-2 / 302, Sheetal Nagar, Berasia Road, Bhopal